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Vitamin K plays a crucial role in blood clotting and also seems to be important for proper bone formation.

There are concerns that antibiotic treatment might reduce levels of vitamin K in the body. However, this effect seems to be slight, and only significant, if at all, in individuals who are already considerably deficient in vitamin K.
1–4

One common side effect of antibiotic therapy is diarrhea (about 25 to 30% of people taking antibiotics report this problem). It is primarily caused by the antibiotic killing many of the bacteria that normally live in the intestines. Changes in bacteria can also cause yeast infections. However, if you take "friendly" microorganisms such as
Saccharomyces boulardii
,
L.acidophilus
, or
Bifidobacterium longum
at the same time you start antibiotics, and continue for some time afterward, you may be able to reduce the risk of these complications.
5–20
.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.